Marlowe
improved-octo-computing-machineTinkering with old ThinkPads, local-first tools, and quiet infrastructure. I keep notes on what breaks and what holds. This log is mostly for me.
📋 recent entries
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May 2026
Rebuilt the off-grid wiki Switched from a static generator to hand-rolled HTML with a single CSS file. Now loads under 200ms on a 2G connection.
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Jan 2026
ThinkPad X61 thermal experiment Repasted the CPU and undervolted slightly. Idle temps dropped from 58°C to 42°C. Wrote a short note on fan curves without using proprietary control panels.
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Sep 2025
Plaintext accounting turns one One full year of tracking expenses with ledger-like syntax and a pocket notebook. No cloud, no spreadsheets. Still works when traveling through areas with zero signal.
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Mar 2025
Local voice notes pipeline A tiny script that transcribes voice memos using a local model, then appends them to a daily text file. Privacy-respecting and surprisingly accurate after fine-tuning on my mumbling.
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Nov 2024
Rescued a Dell from e-waste Found a 2012 Latitude with a broken screen. Turned it into a headless backup server that sips 9W. The hard drive already had 47,000 hours on it — still spinning.